Turning Anger to Action

We’ve heard about it for months. We’ve read about the terror. Rape. Murder. Fear. And there’s been talk of help, organizations who’ve been stepping up and those who’ve been praying.

But this week a little boy washed up on shore and something broke—deep within us—all around the world it could be felt.

We focused our eyes on what is happening, and we have not moved. We’ve watched. We’ve wept. We’ve prayed. We’ve read the statistics:

THE WORLD IS IN THE WORST REFUGEE CRISIS SINCE WORLD WAR II. 

AND SYRIA’S CIVIL WAR AND THE RISING OF ISIS IS THE WORST HUMANITARIAN DISASTER OF OUR TIME. 

THE NUMBER OF INNOCENT CIVILIANS SUFFERING: MORE THAN 11 MILLION PEOPLE ARE DISPLACED. Source: Ann Voskamp

And now?


Now we want to act. 

We want to do something.

This past Sunday morning my husband Kyle and I sat our kids in the living room, we told them about the people who were being forced to leave there homes.

We told them we don’t live in fear, because for as many people that would harm others, there are many more who would do good, would love, would help. And we are a part of those people.

We told our children that we would act. We would send supplies and money.

We read to them from the bible:

When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:33-34

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-40

And we tell them, this is what God is asking of us. As followers of Jesus, this is how we want to live. And it matters.

Then we showed them the video of the Germans welcoming Syrian refugees, cheering for them at the airport. And we weep. Because it feels like we’re right there with them. It feels like we’ve awakened to see people around every corner, ready to help. The whole world is opening their arms and we are a greater movement of people than any terrorist group could ever conjure up.

We see strangers as our people. I whisper in my daughters ear as the video streams, "do they look any different than you or I?"

"No", she responds, never taking her eyes from the screen, "they look just like us."

And they do. Mothers. Fathers. Brothers. Sisters. Families. Just like us.

Closing in prayer, my kids offer their simple words up to a God, rightfully named El Roi, the God who sees. And as my son ends, he quickly offers one more plea, whispered in my husband’s ear, “God, keep them safe.”

Oh God, yes, keep them safe.

We pick up supplies to send, and wrote cards, and all I can think is I want my children to see that we do something! We do not just sit by while others are suffering!

Worst time for refugees since World War II? Fine.

But then let’s make this the greatest outpouring of love and compassion and community the world has ever seen.

Let’s shut the terrorists up with our love. Evil does not have the final word. Love does.

Because ultimately, ALWAYS, love wins. 

There are so many wonderful people and organizations that are doing something about this issue. Ann Voskamp wrote a post with numerous ways to help. There's also organizations such as Samaritans Purse and World Vision that are helping refugees. If you are looking to raise awareness, you can do so via social media by using #wewelcomerefugees and #refugeeswelcome

Know of other organizations that are helping refugees? Comment below and share your posts/pictures with the hashtags #wewelcomerefugees and #refugeeswelcome to our Facebook page!

#refugeeswelcome

Today we are linking up with Holley Gerth and Jennifer Dukes Lee.